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Gc 979.4 Ir8h v.1 1339447
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01148 4398 E
Singh HL
A HISTORY
OF
THE NEW CALIFORNIA
ITS RESOURCES AND PEOPLE
EDITED BY
LEIGH H. IRVINE
AND ASSOCIATED EDITORS ON PIONEER DAYS, AGRICULTURE, MINING, IRRIGATION, MANUFACTURING, RAILROADS, EDUCATION
" Knowledge of kindred and the gencalogies of the ancient families deserveth highest praise. Herein consisteth a part of the knowledge of a man's own self. It is a great spur to look back on the worth of our line." -. LORD BACON.
" There is no heroic poem in the world but is at the bottom the life of a man." -SIR WALTER SCOTT.
ILLUSTRATED VOL. I
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY NEW YORK CHICAGO
1905
1339447
PREFACE.
A T no time since the discovery of gold in 1849, in the state of California, have the eyes of the world been turned upon this garden spot as at present. During a period of over fifty years of prosperity, not un- mixed with adversity, the state has steadily forged to the front. and today with its boundless resources and unparalleled advantages, it stands before the world in a new light, with a new ambition, and has taken its proper rank with the other peculiarly favored spots of the United States.
The second largest state in the Union today, it combines more natural advantages, more incentive for location and more inducements for industrial activity than any other of its sister states, and with the dawn of a new era before it, the time has been deemed opportune when a distinctive statement of the growth and development of this unsurpassed region should be spread upon the pages of history and when the factors in this development should be represented for the benefit of both the present and of future generations.
The new California is a different institution from the old. While the change may have been so gradual that it has been practically unnoticed by the permanent residents, the people of the world recognize that the new condition of affairs exists. This is mainly due to the men at the helm and one of the purposes of this history has been to give credit where credit is due.
The wonderful fertility of the soil, the great advantages of climate, the immense superiority of geographical location have at times been presented in a brief way, but a comprehensive history of the same has never been pub- lished and such is the object at present. In dealing with this subject the purpose has been to represent only those certain localities that have practi- cally made the history of the state and this with the especial reference to Central California, including the great Sacramento, San Joaquin and Santa Clara valleys and the magnificent district bordering on the bay of San Fran- cisco.
Central California affords also a peculiarly interesting field for genea- logical and family history. Her soil has been the scene of events of the utmost importance : her sons, at home and abroad, have shed lustre upon her name by deeds of galiantry on land and sea, by achievements in the arts and
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iv
PREFACE.
sciences, in the professions, in statesmanship and in commercial affairs, and have been a power for ideal citizenship and good government. To afford to the present and future generations a much deeper source of reliable informa- tion concerning this historic section of our country, this work has been made a veritable history of the people in their various localities, portraying their home life, their customs, their institutions, their past, their present, and their hope in the way of future development.
INDEX.
Adams, Charles E., 573. Etna Life Insurance Co., 674. Alexander, William F., 980. Allen, Clifford E., 416. Allen, William W., Jr., 647. Alpers, George, 767.
Ames, Fisher, 346. Anderson, Christ P., 885.
Anderson, John A., 370. Anderson, Hans D., 662.
Anderson. Philip, 899.
Anderson, William A., 478.
Anderson, William C., 926. Andrews, A., 642. Aram, Engene, 422. Archer, Lawrence, 645. Arndt, H. R., 1038. Arnold, Matthew, 732. Ayer, Henry M., 618.
Bacon, Gilman W., 629. Bachr, Harry, 682. Bailey, Doctor B., 868. Bair, Thomas, 882. Barker, Curtis M., 592.
Barry, Thomas F., 681. Bateman, David T., 411.
Bauer, George W., 782. Bauer, Hamilton A., 852. Baughman, Noble H., 684. Bauter, Lucian A., 969. Beard, John S., 983. Beck, Francis E., 879.
Beckman, William, 428. Beede, William M. S., 760.
Belasco, Frederic, 784. Belcher. Peter, 890. Belding, Charles. 638.
. Bell, Harmon, 778. Bell, Henry C., 530. Bell, Josiah, 830. Bell, Philetus, 833.
Bell, Theodore A., 628.
Benson, Frank H., 615. Berger. Jacques, 901. Beverson, Charles D., 720.
Bickford, William H., 1017. Biggs, Ebenezer, 565. Birdsall, Ernest S., 800. Bishop, John N., 737. Black, Alfred P., 377. Black, John C .. 593. Blemer, Charles H., 517.
Blinn, Charles H., 602. Block, Abram, 721. Bosley, William B., 759. Bowden, William A., 1044.
Bowers, Warren O., 487.
Boyd, Joseph C., 484. Bray, William H., 921.
Breuer, Lonis F., 424.
Briggs, William E., 441. Broedel, Michael, 666.
Brooke, Morris, 542.
Brown, Henry C., 589.
Brown, Thomas M., 545.
Bryant, Edgar R., 769. Buckley. John J., 513.
Budd, James H., 343. Bullock, Nathaniel, 822.
Burgess, John C., 845.
Burkett, G. P., 591.
Burnett, David M., 661.
Burnham, James W., 772.
Burris, David, 557.
Bush, David, 860. Busick, Charles O., 481.
Caldwell, John, 805. Cameron, George W., 1026.
Campbell, Alden W .. 425.
Campbell, George B., 509.
Campbell, James C., 1012.
Campbell, James H., 667. Campbell, John T., 546. Carmichael. Daniel W., 612. Cannon, John L., 1019. Castle, James U., 449.
Chapman, Melvin C., 751. Chapman, William H., 724.
Charters, Harold F., 952 .*
Chevalier, F. & Co., 666.
Chinn, Frederick C., 518. Chipman, Norton P., 727. Christ. John, 656. Churchill, Jerome, 1002. Churchill, J. P., 1006. Churchill. Jesse. 1007.
Clark, Asa. 456. Clark, F. P., 443.
Clark, George H., 488. Clark. John P., 807. Clark, Ray D., 736. Clayton, James A., 397. Clayton. Richard W., 844. Clinch, Charles E .. 942.
vi
INDEX.
Coburn, Lewis F., 581. Coe, Charles W., 744. Coe. Henry W., 738. Cohn, Philip C., 795. Colgan, Edward P., 444. Colgan, Edward P., 10144.
Collier, Buckner K., 993.
Collins, Richard E., 562. Conant, Ernest W., 702.
Cone, Frederick S., 684. Connor, John, 872. Conrad. John, 690.
Cook, John P., 779. Coombs, Frank L., 347.
Coonan, James F., 910.
Cooper, Benjamin F., 660.
Cooper, John F., 560. Corlett, Robert, 986.
Cory, John B., 616. Cottle, Ira, 663.
Cowell, Joshua, 654.
Cox, Frederick, 41.4.
Cox, Thomas J., 516.
Craig, Joseph, 349. Crawford, Hugh A., 974.
Crawford, Thomas O., 761.
Crooks, Samuel R., 1037.
Crume, Littleton T., 904.
Curry, Charles F., 357.
Curtner, Henry, 685.
Cutler, Fletcher A., 919.
Cutten, David P., 816.
Dahlgren, Carl, 607.
Dalton, Henry P., 862.
Daly, John S., 491.
Davis, Henry L., 653.
Davis, John F., 1043.
Davis, John T., 571. Davison, Charles W., 734. Deardorff, Albert G., 700.
DeGolia, George E., 869.
Desmond, Michael J., 502. Deweese, Benjamin D., 848. DeYoung, M. H., 340. Dibble, Henry C., 718. Dickinson, John H., 366. Dille, Samuel H., 802.
Doan, Warren E .. 535. Doggett, W. J., Jr_ 853.
Donnelly, Daniel L., 532. Downey. John G., 350. Doyle, Olline B., 834.
Drew, Alexander M., 909.
Dufficy, George W., 503. Dunlap, David A., 696.
Dunlap. William H., 928.
Easterby, Frank G., 1024. Edelman, Charles, 768. Ehrhorn, Edward M., 687. Elkis, Albert, 463. Ellery, Nathaniel. 426.
Evans, David, 952. Evans, Francis M., 709. Evans, William H .. 918.
Falk, Charles C., 957. Falk, Curtis, 955. Fanning. Howard M., 450. Felt, Rae, 958. Fenwick, George W., 948.
Fields, David B., 995.
Fisher, Lawrence, 536.
Flanagan, James L., 583.
Foote, Arthur D., 930.
Ford, Tirey L., 388. Fortmann, Henry F., 386.
Foster, Newel K., 452.
Foster, Seth B., 886.
Foulds, John E .. 826.
Fowler, Henry, 613.
Fox. Charles N., 668.
Frasse. Irvin N., 862.
Freman, Giles N., 1034.
Frisbie. Edward, 973.
Frost, Charles H., 408.
Fuller, J. A .. 691.
Fuller, Jesse B., 679.
Gamble, Jolin T., 697.
Gardner, George F., 584.
Garratt, Richard M., 409.
Garter, Charles A., 878.
Gates, Freeman, 950.
Georgeson, Frederick W., 825.
Georgeson, G. R., 947.
Gerber. Williani E .. 420.
Gere, George G., 694.
Gett, William A., 537.
Gibson, E. M., 783. Gier. Theodor. 716.
Gilkysen, John W .. Jr., 587.
Gillespie, W. J., 971.
Gillis, Hudson B., 853.
Gillis, James L., 526.
Gillogly, James W., 6. 1.
Gordon, Alexander, 1022. Gormley, William F., 590. Graff, Hans, 834.
Graft, George E., 725.
Graham, Charles E .. 413.
Graham. Eugene D., 415.
Green, Thomas E .. 880.
Gregory. E. H. L., 67.4.
Gregory, E. J., 460.
Gregory, Frank. 459.
Grim, Abraham K., 956. Gunn. Harry L .. 968.
Hackett. John. 90.4. Haines, Isaac S., 785. Hall. Thomas B., 364.
Hamilton, William B., 701.
llamilton, William B .. 506.
Hammond, William, Jr., 622.
Harlow. William S .. 894.
Harris, Milus K .. 840. Harrison. John F .. 564.
Hart. Aden C., 492. Hart, Elija C., 465. Hart. Fred B .. 493.
vii
INDEX.
Hart, Samuel R., 430. Hart, W. H. H., 624. Hartman, Louis H., 729. Hassett, William J., 504. Hatch, Frederick W., 362. Hatch, Zephaniah J., 394. Hawkins, Edwin B., 832. Hawley, William G., 404. Hayes, Everis A., 528. Hayes, Jay O., 522. Head, Felix G., 804. Heald, Edward P., 650. Heald's Business College, 650. Heggerty. Charles J., 338. Henery, Samuel, 763. Henderson, James W., 902. Henderson, Orrin S., 572. Heyer, Charles W., 992. Hicks, Thomas H., 990. Higgins, John M., 526. Hilborn, Edward P .. 550. Hindley, George, 966. Hinsdale, Lester J., 440. Hobson, David, 637. Hoen, Ernest M., 427. Holland, Arthur P., 678. Hoppe, Edward H., 636. Houston, Thomas J., 967. Howard, Benjamin F., 469. Hubbard, Adolphus S., 818. Huckins, Henry, 911. Hume, Robert D., 730. Hunt, Joseph H., 630. Hlurlburt, Belden G., 1045. Hurst, August, 1007. Hurst, Ferdinand, 563. Hutton, Harry W., 10441.
Irelan, William, Jr., 384.
Jackson, Robert A., 750. James. Joseph W., 432. Jarman. Albert H., 541. Jenkins, Thomas, 799. Jesse, James W., 548. Johnson, Grove L., 472. Johnston, Alfred J., 524. Jones, Alfred W., 707. Jones, Stephen A., 850. Joost, Behrend, 368. Jordan, Frank C., 676. Juarez, Augustine, 890. Juarez. Don Cayetano, 889. Jury, John G., 764.
Kahn, Julius, 373. Kane, William F., 1035. Katzenstein, George B., 436. Kell, Bernard E., 407. Kelley, Joseph M., 881. Kelley, Thomas. 594. Kellogg, George A., 954. Kennedy, William C., 665. Ketcham, Thomas E., 498. Keys, Ernest M., 623.
Kiesel, Frederick W., 525. Kinlev, Edward, SII. Kinley, Joseph M., 810. Kip, Lawrence, 983. Kip, William I., 982.
Knight, George A., 336.
Knox, Thomas E., 655.
Kooser, Norman B., 887.
Kramer, Edwin G., 959.
Kytka, Theodore, 780.
Lackmann, John, 376.
Lake, Albert, 726. Lande, Edward, 386.
Langdon, William H., 380.
Lastreto, Emilio, 848.
Latta, Samuel E., 458. Lauck, Joseph B., 534.
Law, Hartland, 894. Laws, Robert J., 505.
Lcaman, James B., 920.
Leavitt, Frank W., 690.
Leeman, William H., 494.
Leib, Samuel F., 405.
Leland, Thomas B. W., 372.
Lent, William M., 888. Letcher, Clarence H., 905.
Levinsky, Arthur L., 419.
Leydecker, Theodore W., 633.
Lindley, Irenaeus C., 815.
Long, Percy V., 606. Long, Seely F., 857. Look, Hallock H., 514.
Lovdal, O. A., 490.
Lowe, James R., 744.
Luce, Daniel, 746.
Luttrell, Charles J., 575.
Lyon, William P., Jr., 713.
Maclean, Daniel, 570.
Mahl, Frederick W., 475. Maltman, Albert, 1014.
Manuel, John, 438.
Mansfield, Joseph G., 390.
Marsh, Frederick D., 621.
Marsh, James, 447. Marston, Frank W., 1039.
Martin, George H., 866.
Martin, James T., 495.
Martin, John B., 928.
Martin, W. H., 913. Martin, W. H., 1047.
Mattison. Frank, 345. Maupin, James L., 1029.
Maupin, William T., 1028.
Mayfield, James M., 892.
McAllister, William F. M., 610.
McCarthy. William D., 877. MeClure, Henry C., 1018. McCue, James E., 611. MeCurdy, Arthur H., 598.
McDonald, Archibald, 403. McDonald, Mark L., 353. McDougall, William D., 723. McGowan, Frank, 382.
viii
INDEX.
McKee, Edwin H., 754. Mckenzie, George S., 874. McLaren, John, 664. Mclaughlin, William, 462. McLeod, Clyde P., 858. McLeod, Donald, 375. McMillan, John G., 401. McNutt, William F., 334. Meacham, Henry M., 569.
Miller, Charles E., 976.
Miller Christopher J., 981.
Miller, Fred M., 977.
Millington, Frank K., 634. Mish, Sol C., 766.
Moody, Edward L., 634.
Moore, John H., 748.
Moore, John W., 1020.
Moore, W. N., 600.
Morehouse, Henry V., 688.
Moreing, Lewis, 670.
Morgan, William J., 842.
Mott, Robert E., 764.
Muller, Carl L., 1029. Muller, Edward, 998.
Nelson, Thomas A., 418. Neumiller, William C., 416.
Newhall, Sylvester, 722.
Newman, James B., 608.
Nicholl, John, 774.
Niestrath, Louis E., 446. Nurse, Marcellus A., 596.
O'Connell, Frank M., 552. Ogier, James H., 755. O'Neil, Thomas F., 641. Owen, James C., 586. Owen, Thomas C., 1036.
Pardee, George C., 786. Parks, William W., 100I. Paul. Almarin B., 671. Peard, Sidney J., 946. Peixotto, Edgar D., 706. Perkins, George C., 360. Perry, John, Jr., 391. Pfister, Adolph, 788. Pfister, Henry A., 649. Pfister, Herman C .. 788.
Phelan, James, 1010. Phelan, James D., 10II.
Pierce, George S., 629. Platt. Horace G., 1031. Pohli, Emil, 900. Pollard, Frank C., 551. Pomeroy, Edgar, 699. Poncelet, Victor, 943. Post, Charles N., 482. Powell. John D., 435.
Prather, Edward C., 883. Prowse, Charles, 988.
Ragan, D. F., 396. Ramage, William J., 996. Raynes, Alonzo E., 538.
Ream, Daniel, 576. Rector Brothers, 933. Reeves, Truman, 354. Richards, John E., 932. Rickard, Thomas, 789. Ricks, Hiram L., 896.
Ridley, Joshua G., 771.
Ripley, Lauren W., 461.
Roberts, John H., 916.
Robison, Warren O., 554.
Rolley, George T., 915
Ross, Robert, 556. Ross, Thomas, 471.
Rowell, Chester, 837.
Rowell, Hubert N., 777.
Rief, Abraham, 792.
Russ, Frederick, 978.
Russ, H. B., 980.
Russell, Thomas, 710.
Ryan, Frank D., 604.
Salomon, Edward S., 796.
Sargent, J. P., 478.
Sargent, Ross C., 477.
Schmidt, George, 870.
Schmidt, Henry, 1030.
Schroeder, Henry C., 914.
Secord, George D., 558.
Shannon, William W., 359.
Shattuck, Arthur E., 1027.
Shaw, H. C., 448. Shay, Frank, 836.
Short, Frank H., 1000.
Short, John W., 835.
Sibley, Walter F., 417.
Simmons, Gustavus L., 499.
Sinnott, Thomas J., 601.
Smith, Hiram C., 757.
Smith, Mayfield, 849.
Soto, Romulo M. F., 856.
Soule, Charles P., 827. Spitzer, Lewis A., 938.
Spranger, Francis X., 648. Spreckels, Claus, 332. Spreckles, Jolın D., 333. Squires, William P., 640.
Stabel, Ferdinand, 970.
Stanly, John A., 841.
Steffens, Joseph, 363.
Stilwell, George W., 626.
Stone, George, 378. Strader, Harvey W., 454.
Swartzel, William J., 917. Sweasey, Richard, 906. Swift, Granville P., 859. Swift, James V., 1033.
Taggart, Harry W., 445. Taylor, John S., 960. Terrill, George M., 712. Thomas, George, 639. Thompson, John W., 457. Thornton, Arthur, 1032. Tisdale, Charles L., 838. Tisdale, Thomas P., 762.
ix
INDEX.
Torrey, Abner W., 829. Traber, J. O., 839. Trainor, Charles E., 510. Treadwell, A. B., 924. Tully, John J., 759. Turner, Frederick C., 747. Tuttle, Fred P., 908.
Vance, John M., 817. VanNorden, Charles, 432. Von Detten, Otto, 418. Von Nuys, Isaac N., 400. Von Reynegom, Francis W., 677.
Wachhorst, Eugene S., 512.
Wadsworth, Elijah, 1008.
Wadsworth, Frederick E., 1010.
Waggoner, Waldo W., 864.
Wagner, Albert J., 531.
Wallace, William H., 987.
Walling, J. M., 824.
Walrath, Richard C., 963. Walsh, Philip M., 555.
Walts, George W., 412.
Ward, James W., 102I.
Ward, William D. F., 552.
Ware, Allison B., 553.
Warren, Stafford D., 752. Waterman, S. D., 779.
Watts, Pliny R., 567. Webb. Ulysses S., 355. Welch, J. R., 790. Welch, Robert, 884. Weller, Joseph R., 704.
Werry, John, 806. Wever, Charles H., 623.
Whicher, John, 453. Williams, Lincoln P., 477.
Wilson, Arthur J., 521.
Wilson, Jesse W., 520.
Wilson. William M., 549.
Winter, George W., 871.
Wissemann, George, 51I.
Wittenbrock, Rudolph, 533.
Witter, Willis G., 658.
Wittman, George W., 923.
Wolf. Andrew, 618.
Woods, John N., 467. Woods, S. D., 339.
Woods, Victor H., 439.
Woodward, Edwin W., 735.
Worswick, George D., 599.
Wright, Edgar B., 892.
Wright, Henry E., 486.
Wulff. Nelson H., 695.
Younger, Coleman, 944.
Photo by Taber
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF SACRAMENTO FROM DOME OF CAPITOL
HISTORY
OF
THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
THE WONDERFUL STORY.
Herbert Spencer calls attention to the fact that all history is perverted, and aptly cites the remark of a French king who, wishing to consult some historical work, called to his librarian, "Bring me my liar!"
The incident illustrates a truth that is known to all who have had occa- sion to verify disputed points in either biography or general history. That it is almost always difficult, and sometimes impossible, to get at vital facts, is ap- parent to those who have ever taken pains to investigate epochs of history, or to search for the exact truth concerning contemporary events.
Often idle rumors have been repeated until public opinion has been firmly grounded in error, and often the reverse of the facts has been sent forth with the stamp of truth. Distortions of this character are to be looked for in all cases where deep religious feelings or bitter political contests are factors; but it may surprise the reader to learn that many errors have crept into the pages. of histories that deal with facts about which there should be neither dispute nor ill-feeling.
The development of society in California here and there affords striking examples of controverted history, particularly with reference to the life and labors of Fremont and his men, the character and habits of the native Cali- fornians, and the work and purposes of the famous Vigilantes. These phases of history are likely to be disputed always.
The sole purpose of this work, where debated points have confronted the author, has been to sift the facts and reach the truth-but for the most
I
2
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
part the annals of the state afford an interesting and consistent story of Ameri- can life under picturesque circumstances.
In some aspects the early years of California's history-after the dis- covery of gold in 1848-remind one of the simplicity of the ancient Greeks. Emerson's description of the days of Hercules might well apply to pioneer life in California in the few years just following Marshall's good fortune; for "the manners of that period were plain and fierce. The reverence exhibited is for personal qualities-courage, address, self-command, rude justice, strength, swiftness, a loud voice, a broad chest."
Certainly there was even less luxury and elegance than in Homeric Greece, save that inventions here and there-matches, the improvements in clothing and houses, fire-arms, and like additions to human comfort- had lightened human toil in some degree.
"A sparse population and want," says the Sage of Concord, "make every man his own valet, cook, butcher, and soldier, and the habit of supplying his own needs educates the body to wonderful performances."
Such were the environments of Agamemnon and Diomed in Homer's story, and such, too, were the conditions that confronted the rough and ready men of brawn who rounded the Horn, crossed the Isthmus of Panama, or made their way with oxen over the untrodden wilds that stretched from the Missouri to the hills of the Sacramento, where there was gold for the gathering.
Columbus needed a planet to shape his course upon, and Copernicus, Newton, LaPlace, and Galileo required the star-strown depths of space to enable them to fulfill the bent and genius of their natures. The restless and aggressive American of 1848 and 1849 was ripe for the great fields of oppor- tunity that lay in the rich mountains, the fertile valleys, and the sunset slopes of the Golden West. And in no other epoch of our country's history, save, perhaps, in the days of the Revolution "that tried men's souls," were there ever such opportunities on the one hand and such hardships on the other as tested the strength and manhood of the actors in the days of the California Argonauts.
To write of the Mediterranean shores of America, as Charles Dudley Warner has aptly called California, is to tell of a country of wonders and unexplored possibilities, and to recount the story of the conquest and occu-
3
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
pation of this fair land is to deal with one of the most romantic and strik- ing cras of American history. Here and there shadows fall across the pages of that alluring story, as in the mistaken zeal of Fremont and his men, the brutality of some of the early settlers toward the inoffensive natives, the disregard of the rights of the original Californians by their conquerors, and the lawlessness and licentiousness of large parts of the population; but for the most part the narrative deals with rare powers of endurance, the inven- tiveness and good fortunes of brawny men, the trials and privations of the early mothers of the state, and the growth of an empire in a region destined to play a wonderful part in the history of the coming centuries.
There are elements of the poetic in almost every page of the story; and the activities of to-day, the cities and factories, the fields and workshops where new Californians now carry on their vocations, are not beyond the allurements of historic association. The pathfinders wrought not far from the present centers of population, the sound of old monastery bells rang forth centuries ago where steam whistles are heard to-day, and the ro- mance of the Bonanza Kings was enacted on the very soil that is now dedi- cated to the uses of the new time. The charm of incident, the poetry of circumstance, the thrill of adventure in a brand-new land belong to the state with which this work deals, the wonderland of song and story made famous by Bret Harte, Mark Twain, and the Poet of the Sierras.
The San Francisco Call has truly said that the story of California is one of the most interesting in the annals of mankind. The writer who thus characterized the history of the state cleverly presents a picture that may well finish this introductory chapter :
Beginning as a tale of adventure on the part of the cavaliers. and free- booters of Spain and of England, exemplified in the romantic personalities of Cabrillo and Drake, it is soon transformed into a story of missionary zeal, telling of the labors of Junipero Serra and his colleagues; then slowly changes into an idyl of pastoral life whose continuity is rudely broken, first by revolution, and then by a magic-working discovery of gold that brings the restless foot of American enterprise to the land, and begins an era that changes every existing institution and creates a new commonwealth.
With the change in the nature of its civilization a change comes over the story of the state, but it remains as interesting as ever. In place of
4
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
the old records of adventurers, missionaries, and lordly rancheros, we have now the story of gold hunters, miners, merchants, railroad builders, founders of schools, churches and universities-men of every class and grade of the pioneer type. The story of the work of those men and of their sons constitutes the world's greatest historic romance of modern times. In no other part of the globe, among anything like so limited a population, has been done so much during the last fifty years to advance human welfare. We have carried the industries of mining and of horticulture to a perfection unknown elsewhere. Our ship-builders have established themselves among the foremost of the age. In the application of electric energy to the needs of industry, not only in cities, but in rural districts, we lead the van of progress, and in many another department of industry we hold rank among the foremost.
Nor have the achievements of the Californians been confined to the at- tainment of material good. We have already furnished many a brilliant name to the list of scientists, poets, painters, singers, sculptors, musicians and orators whom the world honors. In short, the profuse fertility of the state has been almost as notable in the domain of the intellect as in that of the production of fruits and of gold.
5
HISTORY OF THE NEW CALIFORNIA.
CHAPTER I.
CALIFORNIA'S GIFT TO CIVILIZATION.
A CAREFUL SURVEY OF THE PEOPLE AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTS-THE BUILDERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS- HONORED NAMES AMONG THE PROFESSIONS-WHAT AUTHORS AND THINKERS HAVE DONE FOR THE GREAT WEST.
By President David Starr Jordan, of Stanford University.
California is still very young and has most of her history ahead of her. What in time she will do for civilization will make a great volume when its story is written. What she has already done, if adequately treated, will demand more knowledge than any one man can possess, and more space than this volume can give. All that can be attempted here is to give some slight analysis of the elements of which California's past contribution consists.
First we may consider those contributions independent of man made by sheer virtue of being California. The relation to nature has its civilizing effect on men, not on all men of course, for California's scenery and climate did very little for the development of the Digger Indian and does even less for that of the hobo of to-day. Nature does nothing directly for any man. It is a general rule of Evolution that Environment affects those who respond to it or react from it. It encourages or checks or changes individual activ- ity. It does not create it. The finer grades of men respond to the touch of nature and transmute physical sunshine and greenery into intellectual and moral sweetness and light. To such as these California offers the choicest impulses in her glorious scenery. her health-giving climate and the elbow- room she allows to the individual man. To these we may add the wider per- spective that comes from seeing men and things, for to be a Californian im- plies that one has traveled somewhat and has seen the world that lies be- yond his native parish.
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